In May of last year, the School Police Officer Liaison (SPOL) program was unanimously brought to an end by the School District 61 (SD61) board of trustees.
This decision came after several students, staff and administration shared concerns that having police officers in schools made certain marginalized groups feel uncomfortable and unsafe, according to their report on the matter.
“Police are being asked to fill in gaps in student support and to take on roles that should be filled by individuals with specialized expertise, such as youth and family counsellors and social workers,” Nicole Duncan, Education Chair for SD61, said at the time the program was cut.
“Further funding is required for this specialized support, and the Board has committed to advocating for this funding from the provincial government.”
Following the decision to cut the program, the Support Network for Indigenous Women and Women of Color (SNIWWOC) commended the decision based on the following evidence based findings:
- Many BIPOC students graduate highschool with first and second hand trauma experiences at the hands of police
- The 2021 Greater Victoria Local Immigration Partnership Network Survey revealed that 30% of BIPOC Victorians have experienced racism from local police
- A police officer isn’t bound by the same physical contact and restraint policies that other school staff are
- VicPD reports from 2016 to 2021 show them disproportionately policing BIPOC youth — Around 19% of people VicPD labeled as “youth suspects” were Indigenous when they comprise only 5% of Victoria’s population
- A disproportionate amount of incident reports have stemmed from Esquimalt High School, a school with a largely BIPOC student body
- Canada’s House of Commons determined that systemic racism is present in all police organizations and work must be put in across the country to make positive changes in this regard
The decision to cut the program was also based on a BC Human Rights Commissioner recommendation.
However, not even one year after SD61 cut the SPOL program, VicPD say that gang activity has become more rampant with kids being recruited at their schools.
On March 11th, the District of Saanich passed a motion to pen a letter to SD61 and all municipalities they serve to bring the SPOL program back.
“Safety for students and young people is a priority for everyone in our community,” reads the letter penned by Saanich Mayor Dean Murdock.
“Council has heard from many concerned parents that they would like to see the return of the school liaison officer program in the Greater Victoria School District.”
The Saanich council says they recognize the sensitivity of this program for some of SD61’s students and families and that their concerns should be managed with respect and care, but they would like to see the program come back with modifications to address those concerns.
Based on this decision to put pressure on SD61 to bring police officers back into schools, Victoria Councillor Marg Gardiner put forth a motion in April 4th’s Committee of the Whole meeting for Victoria to do the same.
Gardiner says there is evidence of seven active gangs in Victoria who VicPD claim to be targeting youth at schools.
This is based on an arrest VicPD made when they caught a man allegedly recruiting teens while selling them nicotine and cannabis vapes.
“The primary roles of a School Police Liaison Officer are education and to thwart criminal exploitation of our youth,” reads Gardiner’s motion.
“Officers becoming familiar with each school, and its specific population of students, assist in building relationships: they become familiar people to talk to, especially for the more vulnerable youth.”
After a lengthy discussion on the matter of whether or not to send a letter, the original motion was amended.
The amendment would have the Mayor Marianne Alto write to SD61, requesting an explanation for their decision to discontinue the program, urge them to engage with diverse communities to change the program and ultimately reinstate it.
In the end, it was a five to four vote in favour of sending a letter to SD61.
Councillors Gardiner, Krista Loughton, Chris Coleman, Stephen Hammond as well as Mayor Alto all voted in favour, while Councillors Susan Kim, Jeremy Caradonna, David Thompson and Matt Dell all voted against the idea.
 program was unanimously brought to an end by the School District 61 (SD61) board of trustees. ){kind=link}